Heat safety during football practice

CHAPEL HILL (KYTX) - Football season is right around the corner and that means players have to practice in this heat. Summer practice started this week for many East Texas high schools.

For many of us, the best part of the new school year is knowing it's also the start of football season. Players at Chapel Hill High School started practicing this week. Athletic director and head football coach Thomas Sitton says students are training hard. But, safety is still the number one priority on the field.

"There's water everywhere around. We tell the kids that if they need a drink, need to get out of a drill, go get them a drink. And, we want to make sure they stay hydrated throughout the whole day."

Players practice for an hour and a half in the morning, then head inside for an hour long break where they fuel up on food for more energy. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were Monday morning's nourishment at about 9:30.

"In between practice we talk to them about making sure they get something back into their systems. Make sure they re-hydrate before we go back for that last hour and a half. "

Coach Sitton says thankfully this summer has actually been pretty mild compared to years past.

"We've been so fortunate this week. It's probably the best first day that i've ever been a part of as far as the weather goes."

It's only supposed to get hotter though. Sitton says players are in good hands. The team also has trainers on staff to make sure kids are hydrated and safe during practice.